Doha, April 23 (QNA) - QatarEnergy has marked the first LNG export cargo from the Golden Pass LNG project in Sabine Pass, Texas, in the United States – a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil.

Marking an important step towards the project’s commencement of full commercial and export operations, the project’s historic LNG cargo was safely and successfully loaded onboard QatarEnergy’s Al-Qaiyyah LNG carrier, recently built in the Republic of Korea with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, QatarEnergy said in a statement on Thursday.

Commenting on this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said, "this is a significant industry milestone that marks a new chapter in QatarEnergy’s global efforts to meet rising LNG demand and ensure reliable supplies to international markets.”

His Excellency added, "the Golden Pass LNG project is one of the single largest investment decisions in the history of the U.S. LNG sector, affirming QatarEnergy’s position and reputation as a reliable provider and a trusted partner of choice that drives growth and development around the world.”

Golden Pass LNG is a partnership between QatarEnergy (70%) and ExxonMobil (30%). The two partners had announced their final investment decision of more than USD 10 billion for developing the Golden Pass LNG project in February 2019.

70% of the project’s 18 million tons per annum of LNG production capacity will be off taken by QatarEnergy Trading, QatarEnergy’s wholly owned LNG trading entity.

The commencement of LNG offtake from Golden Pass LNG will complement QatarEnergy Trading’s global LNG portfolio and support the growth of its business.

Golden Pass LNG has achieved sustained liquefaction operations and first LNG production from the first of three LNG trains on 30 March 2026. (QNA)